Center City West is home to several chains focused on healthy eating. After much investigation and considerable amount of taste testing (for research purposes, of course) here are the five best healthy finds in the neighborhood.
Sweetgreen
Sweetgreen has several Center City locations, including 1821 Chestnut St. All feature bread baked in-house and fresh salads made right in front of the customer. If you’re not in the mood for leafy greens, you can try one of their many warm bowls filled with rice, quinoa or other ingredients. From chicken to salmon and shrimp to falafel, customers have a choice of proteins. Carrots, sweet potatoes and sprouts are only a few of the dozens of toppings available.
Snap Kitchen
Snap Kitchen, located on the corner of 19th and Chestnut streets, is one of the new kids on the block, so to speak, since opening in 2015. From prepackaged meals to juices and health bars, SnapKitchen offers a variety of options geared toward maintaining a healthy diet on-the-go. The food can either be eaten cold or warmed up; if you choose to dine in, there are microwaves to heat up your meal.
Sip-N-Glow
Sip-N-Glo made a splash when it moved into Center City in 2015 to serve a variety of healthy smoothies and juices. Customers can mix and match a variety of flavors and ingredients as well as add “boosts” like wheat grass. Some made-to-order drinks are yogurt-based, but customers can order non-dairy options as well. Smoothies can cost around $9, but the pre-made drinks are less expensive. Juices can contain produce from cucumber to arugula, while smoothies can feature things like almond butter, coffee, honey and bananas.
Honeygrow
Honeygrow specializes in create-your-own stir-fry and salads with fresh and, when possible, local ingredients. Honeygrow now has locations in the New York, Baltimore and Washington areas, but got its start in Center City West on 16th Street between Sansom and Chestnut streets. The company was started in 2012 by Justin Rosenberg, a Temple University alumnus.
HipCityVeg
Veganism might be a diet embraced by a minority of people in Philadelphia, but the 100 percent plant-based food at HipCityVeg is popular even with non-vegans. The eatery offers lunch, dinner, dessert and light snacks, including faux burgers and Philly “cheesesteaks.” Milkshakes, made with organic soy instead of cow’s milk, are also available.
– Text and images by Lindsay Weiner and Stetson Miller
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